Foreign Minister Sugiono Affirms Humanitarian Workers Should Not Be Targeted By Attacks

Foreign Minister Sugioo while attending the Global Declaration of Humanitarian Personnel Protection. (Source: Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

JAKARTA - Foreign Minister Sugiono emphasized that humanitarian personnel should not be targeted by attacks, with Indonesia ready to invite the world to stop impunity.

This was conveyed by the Indonesian Foreign Minister when starting the series of High Level Week (HLW) of the 80th UN General Assembly (SMU) by attending the side event for the launch of the Global Declaration on the Protection of Humanitarian Personnel at the United Nations Headquarters, New York, United States on Sunday.

In his speech, Foreign Minister Sugiono emphasized the importance of accountability for attacks on humanitarian personnel in conflict areas.

"We need to ensure that there are no dual impunities and standards in demanding accountability for the death of humanitarian personnel, especially in Gaza. They are humanitarian heroes who should not be forgotten," said Foreign Minister Sugiono, launching a statement from the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Monday, September 22.

This declaration emphasizes four practical steps, namely: (1) compliance with International Humanitarian Law, (2) facilitation of humanitarian access, (3) alignment of safeguarding efforts at the international, national and local levels, as well as (4) accountability for violations of humanitarian personnel. The declaration is also aimed at protecting Indonesian citizens who work as well as volunteer in UN agencies and other humanitarian organizations in Gaza, Sudan, as well as other conflict areas.

This declaration was initiated by the Ministerial Group for the Protection of Humanitarian Personnel consisting of nine countries: Australia, Brazil, Colombia, Indonesia, Japan, Jordan, Sierra Leone, Switzerland and the UK. A total of 104 countries, including Indonesia, also support the declaration.

"Humani personnel should not be targeted," Foreign Minister Sugiono stressed.

"Our responsibility does not stop at the signature of the declaration, but on real implementation. Indonesia is ready to contribute and invite the world to jointly stop impunity," he said.

At the end of the event, Foreign Minister Sugiono signed a joint declaration document with the Minister of Foreign Affairs and other officials from the country supporting the declaration.

The document will be placed on The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and is open to signing by all UN member states.

The implementation of the next declaration will be led by the Geneva-based Group of Friends on the Protection of Humanitarian Personnel.

It is known that the United Nations when commemorating the World Humanitarian Day 2025 on August 19 announced that the number of humanitarian workers killed while on duty throughout last year had reached a record, 383 people, quoted from UN News.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said that although such attacks were prohibited, they continued to occur because of impunity.

"Humanist workers must be respected and protected," said the UN Secretary General.

In a tribute ceremony to 168 staff who died throughout 2024, including 126 personnel in Gaza, last June, Secretary General Guterres last year was devastating for UN aid workers.

"More than one in every 50 UNRWA staff in Gaza have been killed in this horrific conflict. This is the highest number of staff deaths in the history of the United Nations," he said.

"Some were killed while sending rescue aid; others were with their families; others were protecting those who were vulnerable," he said.